Will Robinson-Smith – Page 23

ULA begins de-stacking Vulcan rocket, pivots to Atlas 5 launch of Amazon’s Kuiper satellites for first 2025 mission

February 7, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The change in manifest comes as the U.S. Space Force’s Assured Access to Space continues the certification process for the Vulcan rocket. United Launch Alliance will begin stacking an Atlas rocket in the coming weeks.

NASA leaders, Artemis contractors argue importance of architecture continuity for returning to the Moon

February 7, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

Representatives from NASA, Boeing and Lockheed Martin argued that the United States shouldn’t skip past the Moon in favor of Mars when it comes to crewed deep space exploration. The discussion came up during a panel at the SpaceCom conference concerning the forthcoming Artemis 2 mission.

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

February 7, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 12-9 mission was SpaceX’s 10th dedicated flight supporting the launch of its Starlink V2 Mini satellites. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is set for 2:18 p.m. EST (1918 UTC).

SpaceX launches final block 1 WorldView Legion satellites for Maxar Technologies

February 4, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission, dubbed Maxar 3 by SpaceX, was the third launch of Maxar’s WorldView Legion satellites. Liftoff from Launch Complex 39A happened at 6:13 p.m. EST (2313 UTC).

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on foggy Tuesday morning

February 2, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 12-3 mission was the 230th orbital launch for SpaceX from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff happened at 5:15 a.m. EST (1015 UTC) on Tuesday.

Saturday Starlink launch marks 200th orbital flight from Vandenberg’s pad 4E

February 1, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 11-4 mission was the 111th orbital launch for SpaceX from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Liftoff happened at 3:02 p.m. PST (6:02 p.m. EST, 2302 UTC).

Former head of Boeing’s Starliner program returns to role

January 31, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The change in leadership follows the decision made in 2024 by Mark Nappi, the former VP and program manager of CCP, to retire from Boeing in February.

SpaceX launches SpainSat New Generation 1 satellite on Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center

January 29, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The SNG 1 satellite is designed to provide protected communications capabilities to Spain and its allies during its 15-year operating life. Liftoff from pad 39A happened at 8:34 p.m. EST (0134 UTC), the opening of a two-hour window.

Musk: President Trump calls for fast-track return to Earth of the former Starliner astronauts

January 28, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX was already tasked with returning NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams as part of the Crew-9 mission. That departure was delayed by NASA due to unresolved issues with the fifth Crew Dragon capsule that will launch the Crew-10 flight.

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

January 27, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will bring SpaceX close to having 7,000 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is set for 5:05 p.m. EST (2205 UTC).